Thursday, March 26, 2009

Rejection Stinks

Not long ago, Rebecca asked how to get through rejection. Shortly after that, a cousin sent an e-mail saying she'd just gotten her first rejection and asking for advice on what to do next. Since I've gotten the same question from two directions, I thought I'd answer it here.

Here's basically what I told my cousin:

Congratulations! Now that you've been rejected, you're an official writer! Keep that first letter and start a rejection file. Then FILL IT UP.

One major thing working against new writers right now is the economy. Publishers have come back to reject manuscripts they've previously accepted because they're cutting back on how many they're publishing at all. Other books are getting release dates shoved back. So it's not always a matter of quality. Sometimes it's about plain old numbers.

With the typical timeline, Tower of Strength (which was just released this month) would have come out last September, and my next book, which I turned in October 08, won't be out until Spring 2010. That's about twice the lag time I'm used to.

But after all the horror stories I've heard, I'm just counting my lucky stars that I'm even getting another book out at all. The bottom line: breaking in as a first-time writer is harder now than ever before.

That, and if you didn't ever get rejected at all, I'd have to hate you. (It's a rite of passage for writers. Everyone needs that experience!) This isn't to say you're doomed and shouldn't submit. Just know that you need to up your game. Prove that you're the best person for the job. Rise above the competition. Polish, polish, polish.

I've got a pretty good-sized rejection file going back to 1994. It's part and parcel of the whole writing gig.

My best advice on getting through rejection:

1) Drown your sorrows in your food of choice. Then:

2) Analyze the feedback you received (if any) and see if it has merit. Is there a kernel in there you can use to improve, or are they totally up in the night? (I've had both experiences. Sometimes the commentary is just plain dumb, and other times, I can think, even if it hurts, "Yeah. I guess I can see that.")

3) Consider submitting the same piece to another publisher, possibly after a rewrite, and most definitely after you cool down.

4) Regardless about what you decide on #2 and #3, immediately move on to another project. Don't stop writing, or you'll get yourself into a self-doubt rut. Keep the wheels turning.

5) One huge shot in the arm is hanging out with other writers. Find a local writing group (early on, I found a lot of support in my local League of Utah Writers chapter). Consider attending the 6th annual LDStorymakers Writers Conference April 24-25, which will be in Provo this year. It's a great conference (and I'm not just saying that because I'm on the committee). Being with other writers can energize you like nothing else can.

Hang in there! Rejection stinks. There's no other way to put it.

For any other writers out there, feel free to throw in your own rejection advice in the comments!

I read an article about an author who had 300 rejections before her first manuscript was picked up. She's now a very successful award winning author. I think it is to be expected. :) But it is good to hear that it is normal and common, too.

I was once talking to a friend who was preparing to undertake a major project. In essence, he said to me,"my goal is to have the most glorious failure possible!"

I've thought a lot about that. The riskier the endeavor, the more likely the rejection. The more time and energy consuming the project, the harder the failure.

I think that's the way it is with writing. We need to put our heart and soul into the project, then polish it over and over and over with criticism, revision, and rewording until it scarcely resembles the original product.

Then, when our hundreds or thousands of hours of blood, sweat and tears only lead to complete rejection, we will know that our writing is finally ready to take on a life of its own.

There's a lady in my writer's group who introduced herself as never-been-published and never-been-rejected. And I said, "And never submitted anything." She nodded.There's only one way to go from typing to published, and that's try and try some more.Totally agree on the favorite food theory. That's why dark chocolate was created!

I am just getting started... really. Just getting started with writing. I find the story takes on a life of its own and becomes very close to your heart. I can hardly bear to tell anyone about it. I don't know how I could not take rejection personally. Thankfully, I am a small ways off from sending in the manuscript. Maybe I can toughen my skin a bit.

Oh I am so with Kim's comment!I am actually 3/4 of the way done with my first novel. I mean, what I hope will be my first published novel. For now, I'm just writing the story, getting it on paper. I haven't done any editing and I know there's loads to be done. I don't even know where to start. I'll do major editing and revising first and then I'm thinking I'll send manuscripts to some of my family members and have them do some editing. But then whwat do I do? Do you have any posts in yoru archives on that?

Summer, Do you mean how do you submit a manuscript or where to look for a publisher or agent? If I know what specifically you're looking for, I can point you in a direction (if not here, then elsewhere).

Summer, don't send it to family they're going to tell you its great and doesnt need any work. Find a writers group and let them hack at it untill it bleeds red ink. Then, learn to love the process of revising knowing that your making it better. Good luck.

Yeah, rejection is hard, I just got my 5th today from 13 submissions. And I'm down a little thinking that i'll never get accepted. However, I know this is the best thing I have ever writen and that there's a home for it somewhere. Of course the little chocolate covered doughnuts are helping the mood a little. :)

I just got my second rejection ever this past week. My first rejection was sad, but not too bad. This second one was really hard. After working with the publisher, I totally thought they were going to pick it up. I was extremely disappointed they decided to pass. But at the same time, they gave me lots of great feedback.

So I cried a few minutes, then went dancing with my hubby that night. Exercise really helps me feel better (it's those awesome endorphins) and it also helps me focus and get back on track.

That same manuscript that got rejected is not in the hands of two more editors. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for a great big YES!!!

Hello Annette,It's me your "rejected" cousin! Thank you so much for the emailed advice I was happy to see it posted here as well. I've been waiting 8 weeks now to hear back from one publisher and I think I'm going crazy! I decided to fill my time editing another piece. Thank you as always for your great encouragement and advice. Love Jodee